A woman receiving Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits has launched a crowdfunding appeal to raise £9,500 for breast reduction surgery, saying years of chronic pain have left her unable to work and struggling with daily life.
Mary Rich, who currently receives almost £1,300 a month in benefits, has set up a GoFundMe page in an effort to fund private treatment after what she describes as a prolonged and unsuccessful battle for help through the NHS. So far, she has raised around £800 toward her target.
Mary said she has lived with severe physical pain for more than a decade due to the size and weight of her breasts. Despite being small-framed, she wears a 34GG bra and says the constant strain has caused long-term spine, neck and shoulder pain, as well as posture problems that affect her every day.
“I’ve tried countless treatments to manage and reduce the pain,” she said. “That includes physiotherapy, osteopathy, specialist bras, weight loss — I went from a size 18 to a size 12 — and a deeply holistic lifestyle focused on reducing inflammation and supporting healing. Despite all of this, my pain has continued to worsen and has become debilitating.”
She added that the condition has taken a toll on her mental health as well as her physical wellbeing.
According to Mary, her mobility has steadily declined, leaving her unable to sit or stand for long periods without triggering severe pain. She said she often needs to lie flat for several hours each day to relieve pressure, and experiences flare-ups so intense that her partner has to care for her completely.
“I never know what level of pain I’ll wake up to,” she said. “That unpredictability has made it impossible to work consistently.”
After a nine-month process seeking help through the NHS, Mary said she felt “completely let down,” adding that the only options offered were opioid pain medication and physiotherapy. As a result, she is now seeking private treatment, which she says will require funding not only for the surgery itself but also for consultations, aftercare and a private MRI scan.
The total cost of the procedure is estimated at £9,500.
“Asking for financial support doesn’t come easily to me,” Mary said. “But with encouragement from friends, I’ve come to understand that accepting help is not a weakness — it’s recognising that I deserve care, support and relief from suffering.”
Mary’s fundraising appeal continues as she hopes to secure the treatment she believes will allow her to regain her health, independence and ability to work.
